Rein manipulation training device

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a training apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for training a person to manipulate the reins of a full or double bridle as used in equitation.

finite S1ates Patent 1191 Frame Aug. 14, 1973 [54] REIN MANIPULATIONTRAINING DEVICE 1,372,351 3/1921 Jones 272/532 X 1,729,227 9/1929 Reid35/29 R X [76] Invent Wayne Frame 3300 Bndg" 2,260,432 10/1941 Brown35/11 P Boulder, Colo- 80301 3,209,469 10/1965 James 35/11 Filed; 1971FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] Appl. No.: 115,563 178,110 11/1906Germany 35/11 52 us. c1. 35/11, 35/29 R Emmmehnarland [51] Int. Cl. G09b9/00 [58] Field of Search 35/11, 29 R; 54/36; [57] ABSTRACT 272/52,52.5, 53,1, 53,2 This invention relates to a training apparatus and moreparticularly to an apparatus for training a person to ma- [56]References Cited nipulate the reins of a full or double bridle as usedin UNITED STATES PATENTS equltatwn- 13,306 7/1855 Goddard 54/36 2Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIED AUG 1 7 SHEUZOEZ REIN MANIPULATIONTRAINING DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The intended purpose of thisinvention is to be that of a training aid and exercising device for thedevelop ment of manual dexterity as required for proper manipulation ofa full or double bridle as used in equitation, particularly at the stageof training where one is learning to differentiate between the snafflebit and curb bit by proper hand and finger manipulation of the snafflerein and crub rein. Alternate use of the snaffle and curb bits is usefulto collect a horse. Use of the curb bit alone will result in a lowerhead position, etc.. The necessary manual dexterity to so manipulate thebits independently is difficult to learn but is essential to experthorsemanship.

The apparatus described below simulates by mechanical means the tactilefeel of the snaffle bit and curb bit in the mouth of a horse. The objectof this invention is to aid learning by providing a means for positiveindication to the user upon proper actuation of the bits, studentfeedback. A further object of this invention is to provide a tirelesssimulator on which to practice. The device is not meant to deemphasizethe role of an actual mount in learning the art of equitation, butrather to function as a supplemental tool'allowing actual time in theriding'ring to be more profitably spent for both student and instructor.

A more detailed description of the specific embodiment of this inventionis given below. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING I FIG. I shows side view of apparatus andthe right hand of a student operator. FIG. 2 is a frontview ofapparatus, less reins. FIG. 3 shows arrangement of snaffle elements.FIG. 4 shows arrangement of curb elements. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagramof possible embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is now made to FIG. 1. Snaffle rein 2 andcurb rein 3 are held in the right hand I of thev student in the samemanner as a mounted rider, the apparatus 4 being positioned in front ofsaid student to which reins 2 and 3 are connected. Similarly the leftsnaffle and curb reins are held in the left hand of the student. The,apparatus utilizes a suitable means for anchorage such as a tripod orwall mount, the height of the apparatus above the floor beingcommensurate with the correct hands to simulated bit positioning whenthe subject is seated a suitable distance from said apparatus.

FIG. 3. Snaffle rein 2 is connected to ring 5 which functions tosimulate the ring of a snaffle bit. Ring 5 is dently. A rightring 5 anda left ring 10, each independently mounted and a plurality of sensingelements allows for independent sensing of right and left snaffle vaction.

FIG. 4. Curb reiri 2 is connected to lever 6 which functions to simulatethe shank of a curb bit. Lever 6 is mounted by a rubber diaphragm orother suitable means which functions to simulate the feel of a curb bitin the mouth of a horse. Electrical switch 23 or other suitable meansfunctions to sense actuation of the sim ulated curb bit as determined bya sufficent lever 6 displacement, being equivalent to a correct level ofport and chain pressure with an actual bit.

FIG. 2 A right lever 6 and a left lever 11 together with right and leftsensing elements allows for the sensing of right and left curb reintension independently.

FIG. 5. Sensing elements 35, 36, 19 and 23 are connected to indicationelements which provide means for student feedback such as snaffleindication Lamp 7 and curb Lamp 8. Lamps of different colors provide amethod for easy differentiation such as white and blue lamps, red andgreen lamps being less satisfactory because of the stop and g0connotation of these colors. Other forms of student feedback such asaudible tone generators could be implemented.

Means for student indication of right or left only actuation is providedby flasher unit 34 which causes the appropriate lamp to flash atapproximately five flashes per second if only one side of the simulatedbit is correctly actuated, thus enhancing the information relayed to thestudent.

The apparatus functions as a training aid by indicating correct responseresults to the student and as an exercising device by providing asimulator on which to practice. Many changes and modifications can bemade in the embodiment of the invention described above. The scope ofthe invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1., A device for-training persons to develop the manual dexterity neededto differentiate between the snaffle rein and the crub rein of a doublebridle comprising a pair of rings which are spring loaded or elasticallymounted to simulate the tactile feed of a'snaffle bit in the mouth of ahorse each end of a snaffle rein being attached to said rings, a secondset of rings which are suitably mounted to simulate the tactile feel ofa curb hit each end of a curb rein being attached to said second set ofrings, switch means to sense actuation as defined by the correct amountof rein tension and resulting simulated bit displacement from restposition, a lamp controlled by suitable circuit logic to indicate to aperson snaffle bit actuation, a second lamp to indicate curb bitactuation; whereby a person can readily determine if he is manipulatingthe simulated bits independently.

2. The training device of claim I in which right and left sensingelements allow for the sensing of right and left snaffle rein tensionindependently, right and left sensing elements allow for sensing ofright and left curb rein tension independently, means for indicating tosubject right or left only actuation whereby an unbalanced condition canbe communicated to the person. Q 1! a i i

1. A device for training persons to develop the manual dexterity neededto differentiate between the snaffle rein and the crub rein of a doublebridle comprising a pair of rings which are spring loaded or elasticallymounted to simulate the tactile feed of a snaffle bit in the mouth of ahorse each end of a snaffle rein being attached to said rings, a secondset of rings which are suitably mounted to simulate the tactile feel ofa curb bit each end of a curb rein being attached to said second set ofrings, switch means to sense actuation as defined by the correct amountof rein tension and resulting simulated bit displacement from restposition, a lamp controlled by suitable circuit logic to indicate to aperson snaffle bit actuation, a second lamp to indicate curb bitactuation; whereby a person can readily determine if he is manipulatingthe simulated bits independently.
 2. The training device of claim 1 inwhich right and left sensing elements allow for the sensing of right andleft snaffle rein tension independently, right and left sensing elementsallow for sensing of right and left curb rein tension independently,means for indicating to subject right or left only actuation whereby anunbalanced condition can be communicated to the person.